Programme Associate - School Meals/Feeding

Vacancy Announcement No: JR128483
Job Title: Programme Associate - School Meals/Feeding
Contract Type/Grade: Fixed Term, G6
Duty Station: Mogadishu
Contract Duration: 12 Months (Renewable)
Date of Issue: November 15, 2026 | Closing Date: November 29, 2026

BACKGROUND:
The United Nations World Food Programme is the world's largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide. The mission of WFP is to help the world achieve Zero Hunger in
our lifetimes.
The WFP Somalia Country Strategic Plan (CSP) 2026–2030 is focused on supporting Somalia's transition from recurring humanitarian crises toward greater resilience, self-reliance,
and nationally led development. The CSP combines humanitarian assistance with investments in human capital, food systems, climate resilience, and institutional capacity. WFP
aims to address immediate food, and nutrition needs while strengthening government systems and local capacities to reduce vulnerability to shocks, improve nutrition outcomes,
enhance sustainable livelihoods, and build more resilient communities. (WFP) advances human capital development by integrating nutrition, social protection and school meals
into a comprehensive approach where all activities contribute to one overall objective.
Somalia faces recurring food insecurity, climate shocks, conflict-related displacement, and high levels of malnutrition, which continue to negatively affect school attendance,
learning outcomes, retention, and the wellbeing of children. School Meals represent a key investment in human capital development and provide an effective platform for improving
education outcomes, nutrition, social protection, gender equality, and community resilience.
WFP, in close collaboration with the Federal Government of Somalia, State Ministries of Education, development partners and local communities, is supporting the expansion and
strengthening of a nationally owned school meals programme. This includes transitioning from direct implementation towards government leadership, strengthening local food
systems, improving programme quality and accountability, and integrating school meals within broader social protection and human development frameworks. The Programme
Associate (School Meals) will support the implementation and day-to-day management of WFP Somalia's School Meals Programme under the supervision of the Programme Policy
Officer (School Meals) and the guidance of Head of Human Capital Development. The position will contribute to the effective delivery, monitoring, reporting, coordination, and
administration of school meals activities across Somalia.
The incumbent will work closely with government counterparts, Area Offices, cooperating partners, schools, community structures, service providers, and other stakeholders to
ensure efficient programme implementation and compliance with WFP policies, procedures, and quality standards. The position supports WFP's efforts to strengthen nationally
owned school meals systems and contributes to broader education, nutrition, social protection, and human capital development objectives.
PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT:
To provide specialized programme and administrative support for the planning, implementation, monitoring, reporting, coordination, and operational follow-up of school meals
activities. The position will ensure accurate programme information management, effective stakeholder coordination, timely reporting, and support to field implementation and
systems-strengthening initiatives.
KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive, within delegated authority)
• Support the implementation of school meals activities in accordance with approved workplans, budgets, operational guidelines, donor commitments, and WFP procedures.
• Assist in the preparation of implementation plans, activity schedules, operational updates, and programme tracking tools.

• Coordinate day-to-day implementation with Area Offices, government counterparts, schools, cooperating partners, and community structures to ensure timely delivery of
programme activities.
• Participate in monitoring visits, school assessments, verification exercises, and field missions to assess programme performance, compliance, and implementation
progress.
• Consolidate monitoring findings and support follow-up on recommendations arising from monitoring activities, evaluations, audits, and reviews.
• Support accountability and beneficiary engagement processes, including feedback and complaints mechanisms, ensuring concerns are documented and addressed
appropriately.
• Maintain accurate programme records and databases, and compile, verify, and analyze implementation data received from field offices and partners.
• Ensure timely and accurate reporting of programme activities and results in WFP corporate systems, including COMET, SCOPE, and other relevant platforms.
• Prepare periodic and ad hoc reports, briefing notes, presentations, factsheets, and other programme information products.
• Support performance monitoring, indicator tracking, results reporting, and documentation of lessons learned and good practices.
• Organize meetings, workshops, consultations, training sessions, and field missions, including preparation of agendas, minutes, action points, and follow-up actions.
• Support capacity strengthening activities for government counterparts, schools, community education committees, parent associations, and cooperating partners.
• Liaise with relevant WFP units, including Supply Chain, Finance, Administration, Partnerships, Monitoring and Evaluation, and Area Offices, to facilitate effective programme
implementation.
• Support operational and administrative processes related to school meals activities, including follow-up on requisitions, contracts, invoices, service requests, and
programme documentation.
• Promote the integration of gender, protection, disability inclusion, and accountability to affected populations considerations throughout programme implementation and
monitoring.
• Perform any other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS REQUIRED
Education: Completion of secondary school education OR University degree (Diploma/Bachelor) in degree in Education, Social Sciences, Nutrition, Public Health,
administration, Development Studies, Agriculture or other related in functional area is desirable.
Experience: At least Six (6) years of experience with a Secondary School Certificate OR University Degree (Diploma/Bachelor’s) with a minimum of two (2) or more years of
relevant experience in programme implementation, project management support, education, social protection, food security, nutrition, humanitarian assistance, development
programming or any other related field.
Language Proficiency: Fluency (level C) in English language and Somali Language.
Knowledge & Skills:
• Good understanding of school meals, education, nutrition, and community-based programming.
• Experience in programme implementation, monitoring, reporting, and stakeholder coordination.
• Strong data management, analytical, and report writing skills.
• Ability to work effectively with government institutions, development partners, and community stakeholders.
• Strong organizational, planning, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, work under pressure, and meet deadlines.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely both orally and in writing.

This position is open to qualified Somali national candidates only. Female candidates are highly encouraged to apply. WFP Somalia offers female
friendly spaces in the workplace.
Interested and qualified candidates are requested to submit online applications through Workday using the link below:
• Internal Applicants: Click here!
• External Applicants: Click here!
Applications that do not meet the above requirements will be disregarded. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
WFP seeks applicants of the highest integrity and professionalism who share our humanitarian principles. WFP is an equal opportunity
employer, and we are committed to promoting diversity and gender balance.
Selection of candidates is made on a competitive basis.
WFP does not charge any application fees to candidates